Apparatus for raising floating bodies

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for raising an object in or from a liquid, such as a buoy from the sea. The apparatus includes a releasable clamp which can be raised or lowered, by a crane for example. The clamp includes a locating head which locates in a co-operating receptacle mounted on the object to be raised and hooks for automatically engaging the receptacle and for securing the clamp to the object while it is raised.

Unite States atent Hamilton Oct. 14, 1975 [54] APPARATUS F RAISING F T 524,696 8/1894 Abbott et al 294/115 I BODIES 2,789,859 4/ 1957 3,109,677 11/1963 [75] Inventor: George Adam Hamilton, Gourock, 3 33 759 5 19 4 England 3,142,507 7/1964 [73] Assigneez Speedcranes Limited, Gourock, 3,401,804 9/1968 Link 214/15 R X Great Britain Primary ExamiherFrank E. Werner [22] Filed: Sept 1972 Attorney, Agent, or FirmWoodhams, Blanchard & [21] Appl. No.: 287,746 Flynn [30] Foreign Application Priority Data [57] ABSTRACT Sept. 13, 1971 United Kingdom 42555/71 An apparatus for raising an object in or from a liquid, [52] US. Cl 294/83 R; 212/3; 214/15 R; Such as a buoy from the sea. The apparatus includes a 294/90; 294/1 10 releasable clamp which can be raised or lowered, by a [5 1 Int. Cl. B63B 27/04 crane for example. The clamp includes a locating head [58} Field of Search 9/8; 294/90, 83 R, 110, which locates in a co-operating receptacle mounted 294/1 15, 106, 86.12, 66 R, 77; 214/12, 13, on the object to be raised and hooks for automatically 14, 15 R; 212/3 engaging the receptacle and for securing the clamp to the object while it is raised. ['56] References Cited 167,626 9/1875 Stellwagen 294/90 X US. Patent Oct. 14, 1975 Sheet 2 of 4 US. Patent Oct. 14,1975 Sheet 3 of4 3,912,319

US, Patent Oct. 14,1975 Sheet4of4 3,912,319

APPARATUS FOR RAISING FLOATING BODIES The invention relates to an apparatus for raising bodies or objects in or from a fluid medium. It is often necessary to raise bodies or objects such as navigation buoys from the sea for maintenance or replacement. Such buoys often weigh 15 tons or more in weight. Raising such objects is a difficult and hazardous operation, particularly when a heavy sea is running as it is often necessary for a crew member to board the buoy to secure lifting tackle. Similarly it is often necessary to raise submerged objects to a depth at which work can be carried out conveniently and safely.

According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided apparatus for lifting bodies in or from a fluid medium comprising a releasable clamp adapted to be raised and lowered by lifting means and means for cooperatively engaging receiving means on an object to be lifted and for automatically securing the clamp to the receiving means.

The clamp may suitably be secured to one end of a cable capable of being suspended from a luffing jib.

In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus may comprise a line which is secured between two positions so that a noose of line is capable of being drawn round the object and attached thereto.

The releasable clamp may suitably include a locating member including a yoke on which at least one hook is pivotably mounted. A weight may be so slidably mounted on the locating member that it is capable of engaging the hook or hooks to release the hook or hooks when they are in engagement with the receiving means. The receiving means may be a tube on a surface of the object and having a length and diameter sufficient to receive the locating member, there being a peripheral generally outwardly directed flange onto which the hook member or members clamp in the clamping position.

The hook members may be mounted under the pressure of a spring; alternatively they may be actuated electrically, pneumatically, magnetically, hydraulically or in any other suitable manner.

It will also be understood that the term line used herein refers to a cable, chain, sheet or howser.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a side elevation of a navigation buoy;

FIG. 2 shows a plan view of the buoy;

FIG. 3 shows respective fragmentary side and plan views of part of the buoy;

FIG. 4 shows a side elevation of a releasable clamp according to the invention;

FIGS. 5 and 6 show respective plan views of a vessel during different stages during raising of a buoy;

FIG. 7 shows an end view of the vessel during a stage in the raising of the buoy;

FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of another releasable clamp according to the invention;

FIG. 9 shows a grid for receiving the clamp of FIG. 8, and

FIG. 10 shows a side elevation of a navigation buoy having a grid mounted thereon.

In the drawings like parts are given like references.

Referring to the drawings, a navigational buoy is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 and comprises a generally hollow body 1 ballasted if necessary to float at a required depth, a mast 2 supporting a beacon 3, and a depending shaft 4 which is connected to an anchor chain 5 (FIG. 7).

The body 1 includes a pair of tubes 6 which project from the top surface of the body and terminate in a peripheral, outwardly directed flange 7.

The body 1 also has three spaced-apart peripheral hooks 8 above the water line.

To raise the buoy from the sea, a vessel 9 is navigated so that a loop 10 of line, anchored at one end to a fixed point 11 on the deck, the other end being led through a sheave or block at the jib boomhead and taken to a winch, encircles the buoy. The line is towed along the water until the loop 10 engages in one or more of the hooks 8.

The jib boom 12 is then swung inboard and the line 10 is pulled inboard by the winch until the buoy is held firmly alongside the vessel, as shown in FIG. 6.

A releasable clamp 13 is then lowered from the jib by a cable or line 14 which holds a weight 15 spaced from pivotable hook members 16, and slidable on a locating member 17, as shown in FIG. 4. The locating member 17 terminates in a locating head 17a in the shape of a cone. The releasable clamp is lowered so that its conical locating head 17a passes into the tube 6 of the receiving means, until the pivotable hook members I6 strike the flange 7. They first pivot outwardly and then return under their own weight, or spring pressure, to engage under the flange 7. The cable 14 is then raised so that the buoy, its anchor chain and anchor weight are raised sufficiently high to be swung inboard of the vessel.

In order to replace the buoy in the water, it is lowered into position on the releasable clamp 13 until it begins to float on the water, which then supports the weight of the buoy. Continued lowering of the releasable clamp causes the locating member 17 to slip into the tube 6 until the top thereof engages the underside of a yoke 18 on which the members 16 are pivoted. The weight 15 is lowered on to the hook members 16 to pivotthe hooks outwardly and automatically away from the flange. The clamp is then raised clear of the buoy by the cable, which is secured to another extension of the locating member such as the upper projecting end thereof.

It will be understood that the hooks on the side of the buoy may be in the form of sheaves which automatically grip the line when it is wound in. Moreover, the buoy may be purpose built, or an existing buoy may be modified to include the receiving means and hooks 8.

FIG. 8 shows another embodiment of a releasable clamp 13 according to the invention. The clamp comprises a locating head 20a of square pyramidal form. As described with reference to FIG. 4 the clamp has two hook members 16 pivotally mounted on a yoke 18 fixed on a locating member 20. A weight 15 is provided normally spaced from the hook members 16 but slideable on the member 20 to engage the hook members.

FIG. 9 shows a clamp receiving member 22 and FIG. 10 shows a buoy 1 having such a member 22 mounted thereon. The receiving member 22 comprises an open rigid grid formed of steel rods 24 welded or otherwise securely fixed together so that the superficial dimension of each interstice is such that the locating head 20a can first pass through. The grid member 22 extends over only a portion of the external surface of the buoy 1 and, in the illustrated embodiment, is securely fixed to the upper surface of the buoy 1 on upstanding pillars 26 welded to the member 22 at the cross-over points of the rods 24.

In operation, to lift a buoy the releasable clamp is lowered so that its locating head a is received in any one of the interstices of the grid 22 until the pivotable hook members 16 strike the rods 24. The hooks first pivot outwardly and then, as the member 20 passes further through the interstice, return under their own weight or other biasing force to engage one of the rods 24 immediately surrounding the member 20. The clamp 13 is then raised as described above to raise the buoy from the water.

As described, the locating member 20 is integral with the locating head and the whole is made of steel. By making the clamp and associated receiving member in the shapes as shown it is possible easily to engage the receiving member and hence harness the buoy or other object to which the receiving member is attached. The sharp point of the head 20a is also effective to break any ice which might form on the grid 22.

In another arrangement the clamp could be so arranged that the locating head 20a is detachable to facilitate its replacement with a locating head of another material (a hard plastics material for example) or with a new member should it become worn or deformed.

While clamps having a locating head which terminates in the form of a cone or pyramidal have been described, other suitable forms could be adopted, such as frusto-conical or frusto-pyramidal.

l claim:

1. A releasable grappling device for lifting an object from a fluid medium comprising:

a support frame;

locating means fixedly mounted on said support frame adjacent the lower end thereof, said locating means comprising a locating head which is of decreasing cross section as it projects downwardly toward the free end thereof, whereby said head can be easily inserted into an opening formed in said object;

7 jaw means mounted on said support frame and adapted for engagement with said object to permit lifting or lowering thereof, said jaw means including a pair of opposed hook members mounted for relative movement therebetween, said hook members being relatively movable inwardly and outwardly with respect to one another between a first position wherein said hook members are located for engaging said object and a second position wherein said hook members are located for disengaging said object, said jaw means including means for continuously urging said hook members into said first position; and

release means coacting with said jaw means for permitting relative movement therebetween into said second position, said release means including a release member supported on said frame for move ment between a first location wherein said release member does not interfere with the free relative movement of said hook members and a second location wherein said release member holds said hook members in said second position.

2. A device according to claim 1, including open grid means for mounting on said object, said grid means including a plurality of grid members defining a plurality of interstices adapted to receive said locating head, the

dimensions of each interstice being sufficient to receive the locating head by such an amount that the hook members clamp on parts of the grid members defining the interstice in which the locating head is positioned.

3. A device according to claim 1, wherein said release member is slidably supported on said frame for movement between said first and second locations.

4. A device according to claim 1, wherein said hook niembers are each pivotally supported on said frame for swinging movement between said first and second positions, said hook members having cam means associated therewith for causing said hook members to swing away from said first position toward said second position when said device is moved into engagement with said object.

5. A device according to claim 4, wherein said release member is slidably supported on said frame for substantially vertical movement relative to said frame between said first and second locations.

6. A device according to claim 5, wherein said release member comprises a weight member which, when released, automatically moves downwardly into said second location for engaging said hook members and thereby moving said hook members into said second position.

7 A device according to claim 6, wherein the lower free end of said locating head substantially forms a point.

8. A grappling device adapted for attachment to a body for lowering said body into or lifting said body from a fluid medium comprising:

a vertically elongated support member;

an enlarged locating head fixedly secured to said support member adjacent the lower end thereof, said locating head having a tapered external configuration which is of decreasing cross-sectional area as said head projects downwardly toward the lower free end thereof;

jaw means mounted on said support member and disposed for releasable engagement with said object, said jaw means including a pair of elongated hook members disposed in opposed relationship to one another and each pivotally supported on said support member for swinging movement about a substantially horizontal pivot axis, each of said hook members being suspended downwardly from the respective pivot axis and having a hook portion adjacent the lower end thereof, the hook portions of said hook members being normally located in a first position wherein said hook portions are disposed directly adjacent and on opposite sides of said enlarged head;

said hook members having cam means thereon positioned for engagement with said body for causing said hook portions to be swung outwardly away from said first position toward a second release position when said device is moved downwardly to engage said body; and

release means coacting with said hook members for moving said hook members from said first position to said second position so as to release said device from said body, said release means including a weight slidably mounted on said support member for vertical movement between first and second locations, said weight being normally maintained in said first location and disposed for engaging said hook members when moved into said second location, whereby said weight when in said second location causes said hook members to be maintained in said second position.

9. The combination comprising:

a body adapted to be lifted and lowered, said body having substantially horizontal grid means mounted thereon, said grid means including grid members defining a plurality of interstices; and

a grappling device adapted to be releasably attached to said grid means for permitting lifting or lowering of said body, said grappling device having jaw means for automatically engaging said grid members when said device is moved into engagement with said grid means, and release means coacting with said jaw means to permit release thereof from said grid members, wherein said device includes a locating member having a locating head mounted on the lower end thereof, said locating head being adapted to slidably enter and extend through one of said interstices when said device is moved into engagement with said grid means, said jaw means including at least one hook member pivotally mounted on said locating member and positioned for engaging one of said grid members when the cating head enters said one interstice.

10. The combination according to claim 9, wherein said release means comprises a weight slidably mounted on said locating member and operable to move from a first location at which it is disengaged from the hook member to a second location at which it engages the hook member and releases same from the grid means.

11. The combination according to claim 9, wherein the locating head had a tapered configuration with the cross-sectional area of said locating head decreasing toward the lower free end thereof.

12. The combination according to claim 1 1, wherein the interstices defined by said grid members are substantially rectangular, and wherein the locating head has the lower end thereof formed as an inverted pyramid.

13. The combination according to claim 12, wherein the release means comprises a weight slidably mounted on the locating member and operable to move from a first location at which it is disengaged from the hook member to a second location at which it engages the hook member and releases same from its position of engagement with the grid means. 

1. A releasable grappling device for lifting an object from a fluid medium comprising: a support frame; locating means fixedly mounted on said support frame adjacent the lower end thereof, said locating means comprising a locating head which is of decreasing cross section as it projects downwardly toward the free end thereof, whereby said head can be easily inserted into an opening formed in said object; jaw means mounted on said support frame and adapted for engagement with said object to permit lifting or lowering thereof, said jaw means including a pair of opposed hook members mounted for relative movement therebetween, said hook members being relatively movable inwardly and outwardly with respect to one another between a first position wherein said hook members are located for engaging said object and a second position wherein said hook members are located for disengaging said object, said jaw means including means for continuously urging said hook members into said first position; and release means coacting with said jaw means for permitting relative movement therebetween into said second position, said release means including a release member supported on said frame for movement between a first location wherein said release member does not interfere with the free relative movement of said hook members and a second location wherein said release member holds said hook members in said second position.
 2. A device according to claim 1, including open grid means for mounting on said object, said grid means including a plurality of grid members defining a plurality of interstices adapted to receive said locating head, the dimensions of each interstice being sufficient to receive the locating head by such an amount that the hook members clamp on parts of the grid members defining the interstice in which the locating head is positioned.
 3. A device according to claim 1, wherein said release member is slidably supported on said frame for movement between said first and second locations.
 4. A device according to claim 1, wherein said hook members are each pivotally supported on said frame for swinging movement between said first and second positions, said hook members having cam means associated therewith for causing said hook members to swing away from said first position toward said second position when said device is moved into engagement with said object.
 5. A device according to claim 4, wherein said release member is slidably supported on said frame for substantially vertical movement relative to said frame between said first and second locations.
 6. A device according to claim 5, wherein said release member comprises a weight member which, wheN released, automatically moves downwardly into said second location for engaging said hook members and thereby moving said hook members into said second position.
 7. A device according to claim 6, wherein the lower free end of said locating head substantially forms a point.
 8. A grappling device adapted for attachment to a body for lowering said body into or lifting said body from a fluid medium comprising: a vertically elongated support member; an enlarged locating head fixedly secured to said support member adjacent the lower end thereof, said locating head having a tapered external configuration which is of decreasing cross-sectional area as said head projects downwardly toward the lower free end thereof; jaw means mounted on said support member and disposed for releasable engagement with said object, said jaw means including a pair of elongated hook members disposed in opposed relationship to one another and each pivotally supported on said support member for swinging movement about a substantially horizontal pivot axis, each of said hook members being suspended downwardly from the respective pivot axis and having a hook portion adjacent the lower end thereof, the hook portions of said hook members being normally located in a first position wherein said hook portions are disposed directly adjacent and on opposite sides of said enlarged head; said hook members having cam means thereon positioned for engagement with said body for causing said hook portions to be swung outwardly away from said first position toward a second release position when said device is moved downwardly to engage said body; and release means coacting with said hook members for moving said hook members from said first position to said second position so as to release said device from said body, said release means including a weight slidably mounted on said support member for vertical movement between first and second locations, said weight being normally maintained in said first location and disposed for engaging said hook members when moved into said second location, whereby said weight when in said second location causes said hook members to be maintained in said second position.
 9. The combination comprising: a body adapted to be lifted and lowered, said body having substantially horizontal grid means mounted thereon, said grid means including grid members defining a plurality of interstices; and a grappling device adapted to be releasably attached to said grid means for permitting lifting or lowering of said body, said grappling device having jaw means for automatically engaging said grid members when said device is moved into engagement with said grid means, and release means coacting with said jaw means to permit release thereof from said grid members, wherein said device includes a locating member having a locating head mounted on the lower end thereof, said locating head being adapted to slidably enter and extend through one of said interstices when said device is moved into engagement with said grid means, said jaw means including at least one hook member pivotally mounted on said locating member and positioned for engaging one of said grid members when the locating head enters said one interstice.
 10. The combination according to claim 9, wherein said release means comprises a weight slidably mounted on said locating member and operable to move from a first location at which it is disengaged from the hook member to a second location at which it engages the hook member and releases same from the grid means.
 11. The combination according to claim 9, wherein the locating head had a tapered configuration with the cross-sectional area of said locating head decreasing toward the lower free end thereof.
 12. The combination according to claim 11, wherein the interstices defined by said grid members are substantially rectangular, and wherein the locating head has the lower end thereof formed as an inverted pyramid.
 13. The combination accordinG to claim 12, wherein the release means comprises a weight slidably mounted on the locating member and operable to move from a first location at which it is disengaged from the hook member to a second location at which it engages the hook member and releases same from its position of engagement with the grid means. 